This year a total of 66 players from age groups U7's through to U11's attended the tour. Again the rugby festival was organised by Premiership club Leicester Tigers with the professional referees putting player safety and enjoyment at the forefront. Hundreds of club teams and their supporters took over the whole of Butlins at Bognor Regis, leading to meetings of very like minded rugby fanatics in a safe environment.

Our year groups put out a total of eight teams, playing round-robin pool matches on both Saturday and Sunday. Chiswick RFC notched up a number of important victories against quality opposition, putting into practice the progression of skills and tactics from an intensive year of training. Many of the Year groups won all their matches on the first day, leading to tough seeding and opposition on day two. Well done to all the tourists throwing themselves heart and soul into the competitive arena.

As always, the tour offers much bonding time on and off the pitch with the kids enjoying the pool and water slides etc at Butlins on the mornings off.

With parents and coaches, total numbers swelled to 162 tourists, all enjoying presentation - for the first time - of unique player tour shirts and the legendary Saturday night Pizza, prizegiving and tour court!

The event was brought to an end with medals and trophies presented by Ex Leicester, England and British Lion, Lewis 'Mad Dog' Moody greeting every player on stage and speaking about his own formative minis experiences.

Thanks must go to all players, coaches and parents for embracing an exhausting weekend - the smiles and chatter amongst the kids who are desperate to do it all again being testament to proving it is all worthwhile! In addition, a final thanks goes to those that raised money via the CRFC Raffle and our generous sponsors OWC and M Moser Associates.

Can't wait for Tour 2025 already!

Ewan Montgomery
U11's Lead Coach